Madhya Pradesh diverts SC/ST funds to cows and religious places | Latest News India

Madhya Pradesh is this year spending part of the funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) under a fully centrally funded sub-plan on developing religious sites, museums and financing cow welfare, documents viewed by HT and government officials familiar with the matter show.

An official from the state finance department said that while this is exceptional, the fact is that people from SC and ST communities will also benefit from the expenditure. State finance minister Jagdish Devda refused to comment on the diversion.

According to documents seen by HT, ₹252 crore earmarked for cow welfare (Gau Samvardhan and Pashi Samvardhan), ₹95.76 crore has been allocated from SC/ST sub-plan. The cow welfare fund has increased from about ₹90 crore last year.

For the redevelopment of six religious sites, almost half of the money allocated for the current fiscal years comes from the SC/ST sub-plan. The government announced in the budget presented in July ₹109 crore for the development of Shri Devi Mahalok, Salkanpur in Sehore, Saint Shri Ravidas Mahalok, Sagar, Shri Ram Raja Mahalok Orchha, Shri Ramchandra Vanvasi-Mahalok, Chitrakut and for a memorial of former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee in Gwalior.

Madhya Pradesh is the second state after Karnataka to transfer funds from SC/ST sub-plan to other plans. Karnataka decided to ₹14,000 crore from the sub-plan for financing the welfare programme, following which the National Commission for Scheduled Castes sent a show cause notice to the Secretary of State seeking clarification.

The ST sub-plan was introduced in 1974 and the SC sub-plan in 1979-80 to implement provisions of Article 46 of the Constitution, which provides for states to promote education and economic interests of the weaker sections. Under the scheme, the Central provides 100% special assistance to states to finance their SC/ST sub-plans.

The above-mentioned official from the Finance Department added, “Utilization of the SC/ST sub-plan amount in the general sub-plan is an exception. The situation of its utilization in infrastructure works arises only in special cases and those belonging to the SC and ST communities will also benefit directly/indirectly from infrastructure works. Under the budgetary system, there is no prohibition on transferring the SC/ST sub-plan money for the general sub-plan as per the requirements.”

An official of the tribal department, who requested anonymity, said, “The religious corridors and the museum will have shops where people of all categories, including SC/ST, can get employment. The artwork will be created in the corridors to promote the tribal tradition. The allocated budget will be utilised for this purpose.”

However, experts are of the view that the diversion of the SC/ST sub-plan is a misuse of the central plan.

According to Vinesh Jha, an expert on tribal affairs and someone who has worked with tribals in three states, it is a violation of the guidelines laid down by the erstwhile Planning Commission for the sub-plan.

“The guidelines for SCSP (Planned caste sub-plan) and TSP (Stem subplan) in the Eleventh Five Year Plan were prepared by the Planning Commission. According to this commission, the department should place the funds earmarked for SCSP and TSP under a separate small head to ensure that they are not diverted to any other scheme and include only those schemes under SCSP and TSP which provide direct benefits to individuals or families belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These are meant for area-based schemes which directly benefit hamlets/villages having more than 40% Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population,” Jha added.

The use of SC/ST sub-plan (sub-scheme) for construction of temples, museums and cow sheds is unjustifiable and not permissible, he added.

Another tribal activist, Vikram Achaliya, supported Jha and said, “Cow conservation cannot do anything for the development of SC/ST people. Everyone knows that cowsheds are run on a no-profit-no-loss basis. Even if they open cowsheds in the SC/ST populated area, it has nothing to do with the welfare of SC/ST people, so it is a direct misuse of funds by the government.”